‘Ten out of ten’: flawless Shishkin cut for Arkle after superb chasing debut

A flying leap at the second-last from Shishkin at Kempton on Monday

Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Shishkin produced a flawless display to strike on his chasing debut at Kempton on Monday, with trainer Nicky Henderson grading the effort “ten out of ten”.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old was entitled to win as he went off a 1-6 shot, but he had no problems doing just that, producing some spectacular leaps under Nico de Boinville.

Paddy Power and Betfair reacted by cutting him to 7-4 favourite (from 5-2) for the Sporting Life Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Watch Shishkin win at Kempton

Owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, Shishkin faced only three rivals in a race his mighty stablemate Altior had won four years previously. He pulled himself to the lead early with some brilliant and bold jumps and strolled home in effortless fashion from Mick Pastor, who was 23 lengths behind.

Henderson was understandably pleased with Shishkin, and said: “I think you’ve got to give him praise and I thought it was ten out of ten. He’s got loads of scope and was showing off a bit at times, but quickly worked out the last when a stride wasn’t there – he can do it both ways.

“It was a good school for him. It’s a good course to come to first time as there are no traps – Kempton is a lovely place to start them off.

“He’s always looked a natural schooling. He was just very good from day one. He’s a natural two-miler with a lot of pace and lot of quality – he’s just a lovely horse. I suspect we’ll come back here over Christmas for the Wayward Lad.”

Always held in the highest regard by connections, the son of Sholokhov won a Kempton bumper in the spring of 2019 before falling on his hurdling debut last season.

He won his next two races and then the Supreme, beating Abacadabras, who is a live Unibet Champion Hurdle contender this term, in thrilling style.

Shishkin put in some excellent leaps under Nico de Boinville

Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

‘Two or three of his leaps were simply beautiful’

Wow! It’s hard not to be excited by Shishkin’s sparkling winning debut over fences.

Yes, he started 1-6 and was entitled to win easily, but the manner in which he breezed clear of the 137-rated Mick Pastor really got the blood pumping. And that’s without mentioning his jumping. Two or three of his leaps were simply beautiful – big, bold and wonderfully fluent.

He looked several classes above his rivals at every stage of the race and remained in cruise control up the home straight.

Make no mistake, this is a seriously talented racehorse; one of the most exciting prospects I’ve seen in years. There won’t be too many keen on opposing him for the Arkle after this.Analysis by Richard Birch

Members can read about all of Nicky Henderson’s stars in our Stable Tour series

‘We hope he’ll be a true champ at Cheltenham’ – big names head another top team

‘She has an enormous engine and has summered well – hopefully she’s top class’ – part two of our Nicky Henderson stable tour

‘He could be top class and I believe in him big time – even if others don’t!’ – part three of our Nicky Henderson stable tour

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FIRST PUBLISHED 1:35PM, NOV 23 2020